James Louis Gottesman passed away on January 5, 2021 after a brief illness. "Jim" was born on January 7, 1934 in Mendoza, Argentina to the late Manuel and Margaret (Wechter) Gottesman. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1950 and settled in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He attended McKeesport High School and attended Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Melon University.) While at Carnegie Tech, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, served as a personnel clerk, and reached the rank of Captain. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1955 while stationed in Japan. After his honorable discharge in 1956, he attended the University of Pittsburgh where he received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. On October 8, 1961, Jim married Arlene Weisberg in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After living in Brownsville, Monroeville and Harrisburg, they settled in Bowie, Maryland in 1970. Jim worked for the Army Corps of Engineers with the Department of Defense for more than 30 years. He retired on February 29, 1992. Jim and Arlene moved to Lignum, Virginia in 2010 where Jim served as patriarch of the "Gottesman Compound." Jim loved the game of soccer, enjoyed opera and classical music, and was an avid stamp collector. When he was not watching soccer matches being played around the globe or reading newspapers, he could be found doing crossword puzzles. Jim was an honorable and generous man who, over the years, volunteered his time at his synagogue and supported dozens of charities. His greatest joys were being a husband, father and grandfather. In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by his daughters Renee Price (Howard) of New City, NY, Lorie Cousin (Donald) of Lignum, VA, Ronnie Hooper (Glenn) of Lignum, VA, and son Barry Gottesman (Kimberly) of Timonium, MD. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew and Miranda Price, Macy and Reese Hooper and Lexi and Alex Gottesman, his brother Joseph E. Gottesman and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of James L. Gottesman to any of your favorite charities. Chances are, they know Jim.